village of Ruidoso Department of Forestry

Dick Cooke - Forestry Director

Protecting the Forests in Our Village

The Forestry Department's mission is to address Ruidoso's forest health challenges and to protect this community's values at risk to the hazards of wildfire.

do your part. be fire safe. Safely remove your dead trees now!

Proper property preparation can make the difference between a saved home or a pile of embers during a wildfire. All flammable material around your house should be removed. This includes removal of dead branches, fallen leaves and cutting long grass.

Fuels management costs will vary depending on slope, among contractors, density of trees, landowner management objectives, and distance to roads accessible to the “grapple” trucks. Typically, a cost range to treat one acre of land with a structure on it is $1,200 to $2,000. A range for one acre of vacant land is $800.00 to $1,300. These ranges do not consider removal of hazard trees. Generally, hazard trees are large trees close to structures or power lines that require specialized training and equipment for safe removal. A large tree looming over a house may cost $500.00 to $1,500.00 or more. Chipping debris may increase or decrease the cost depending on slope and distance to accessible roads. Property owners should consider treatment and disposal options. Currently, there are funding opportunities through the Cost Share Program.

The Village Forestry Department maintains a list of Forestry Contractors as a courtesy for property owners. Forest Contractors Criterions for posting companies on the list are:

Contractor must maintain a current Village of Ruidoso business license;

Many of the forest contractors maintain workman’s comp and liability insurance. However, the Village does not regulate or maintain a log of forest contractors’ insurances. The Village does not regulate pricing. Property owners should secure certificates of insurance from the contractor where applicable. Pricing estimates will vary and residents are encouraged to shop around.

The Sacramento Ranger District of the Lincoln National Forest will be burning a combination of hand and slash piles in November and December when conditions and weather are favorable. The piles are located along the Alamo Peak road, and in Dry Burnt and Long Canyons near the Sixteen Springs community. Updates: https://nmtracking.org/fire

Fire managers on the Smokey Bear Ranger District of the Lincoln National Forest hope to take advantage of favorable conditions to conduct pile burning between Grindstone and Mescalero lakes west of Carrizo Canyon Road. Planned ignition dates are scheduled for 10/1/18 - 10/5/18. Unit: 65 acres of hand piled slash in green grass. Updates: www.nmfireinfo.com

Fire managers on the Smokey Bear Ranger District of the Lincoln National Forest hope to take advantage of favorable conditions, including fuel moisture levels, air quality, and forecasted weather to conduct pile burning north of Cora Dutton road and about 1 mile southwest of the town of Capitan. Planned ignition dates: 8/1 - 8/3. Unit: 18 acres of hand piled piñon/juniper slash in green grass. Updates: www.nmfireinfo.com

Fire managers on the Smokey Bear Ranger District of the Lincoln National Forest hope to take advantage of favorable conditions, including fuel moisture levels, air quality, and forecasted weather to conduct pile burning as early as July 16, 2018, until the end of September.